Wii+Fit+Nature

=**Wii Fit Xtreme Sports: CO2 & You!**= Grace Reyes, Kamina Smith, Torrey Trust

Overview
The average person emits 20 tons (40,000 pounds) of carbon dioxide (CO2) every year (source ). With CO2 emissions skyrocketing to levels Earth has not seen in more than 800,000 years (source ), we can't afford to let them rise much higher without dire consequences. It is time for every individual to be part of the solution!

This game challenges players to take their own carbon footprint and reduce it to zero. They can lower it through eco-activities, such as tree planting, selecting environmentally friendly foods, and recycling. This game not only educates players, it also empowers them to make a difference by taking action and making environmentally conscious choices every day.

Instructional Objectives
At the end of the game, players will be able to...
 * Describe what a "carbon footprint" is.
 * State their carbon footprint number.
 * Explain the environmental benefits of lowering their carbon footprint.
 * List three examples of activities they can do during their everyday routines to decrease their carbon footprint.
 * Explain how planting trees and recycling plastic lowers carbon emissions.
 * Identify at least three food types that will decrease their individual carbon footprint.

Learners
The primary audience for this game is male and female students ages 10 - 14 years old (grades 4 - 8). These students are concerned about their personal impact on the environment and have an interest in what changes they can implement to decrease this impact. In addition, they have seen many of their favorite celebrities and TV shows stress the importance taking care of the environment, so it is also perceived as a cool thing to do (source ). These students also have a Wii console and Wii Balance Board at home and probably have access to the same equipment at school. They spend on average 2 to 4 hours a week playing video games on the Wii and are a novice to intermediate level in terms of console skill level.

The secondary audience for this game are adults between the ages of 35 and 50, who have children between the ages of 10 and 14, and also have concern for environment and their family's efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Because they have the purchasing power in the home, to a certain extent they can control what foods and products come in to the home and how they are disposed of once their usefulness is significantly diminished. This audience is also influenced by the potential financial savings realized by implementing environmentally conscious changes in their household. They also own a Wii console and Wii Balance Board in the home and have skill level of novice to intermediate and play on average of 2 hours a week.

Context of Use
The game will be used at home for families and at school during a PE class. If this game is used in a school, the classroom will need to be equipped with a Wii Game Console and a Wii Balance Board. In a normal size classroom of 20 or more, there would probably need to be multiple Wii systems and balance boards. The game is designed to be played multiple times to keep getting a better score in each eco-activity. Before playing the game, the instructor should prepare a lesson on carbon footprints and what the students can do in their daily lives to help keep the planet healthy. After playing the game, strategies can be discussed between the students on how to complete the game in different ways in order to get a better score.

The setting that this will be used in will be very informal as a part of a lesson as well as something students or families can play at home for fun. The game can be played by multiple players at a time and can also utilize the Internet concept on the Wii where you can play against other players around the world.

Scope
This game will include one introductory activity and three main activities. The introductory activity is a carbon footprint test where the player will learn how much carbon dioxide he is emitting based on his lifestyle. The player then has three opportunities to lower his carbon footprint to zero. These opportunities are in the form of eco-activities: Urban Tree Planting, Eco Wakeboarding, and Low Carbon Diet Grocery Shopping. The player can choose to play the three games in any order, however, the shopping game is the hardest because it will help the player reduce the largest amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. (the wakeboarding game is the easiest because it reduces the smallest amount of CO2 emissions). The game will take 25-45 minutes to play depending on how many times the player needs to play each game to reduce his CO2 emissions to zero.

Object of the Game
To win the game, the player must lower his/her carbon footprint to zero. This is possible through the three eco-activities as well as bonus points.

**Competing Products**
The games listed below use the same concept of exercise and most use our platform which is the Wii and the Balance Board, however, none of them have an environmental theme. The games are similar in that we use the balance board and some of the physical moves are the same such as the wakeboarding (like snowboarding). Our game is different in that it teaches the players about carbon footprints and what they can do to help the planet.

Healthy Eating and Exercise Biggest Loser EA Sports Active Outdoor Challenge We Ski & Snowboard Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party Neighborhood Party Neighborhood Game Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board

Design Details
//Technical Elements//
 * Software: Unity (Mac OSX)
 * Platform: Wii
 * Wii Balance Board
 * Wii Remote

//Universal Elements// The overall look and feel of the game will be similar to other Wii Fit games to maintain consistency. The main color of the game will be green to remind players to "think green." Players will be able to choose a "Mii" and select the gender, clothes, and hair. The "Mii" is a 3D cartoonish representation of the player. The games will be 3D simulations with a cartoonish feel as well. The graphics and sounds will emulate those of other Wii Fit games.

//Story Outline// //Story Details// **
 * [[image:wiinatureppt.jpg width="576" height="432"]]

**Carbon Footprint Test**
** //Learning Objectives:// At the end of the carbon footprint test, the player will be able to:
 * //Object:// Discover your carbon footprint.[[image:carbonfootprintresults2.jpg align="right"]]
 * Describe what a "carbon footprint" is.
 * State their carbon footprint number.
 * Explain the environmental benefits of lowering their carbon footprint.

//Introduction Tutorial://
 *  Your carbon footprint is the amount of carbon produced by all of your activities.
 * For instance, producing the electricity that powers your video game may be putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is given off when you ride in a gasoline-powered car.
 * You can think of your carbon footprint as a measure of your impact on the environment.
 * Having a small carbon footprint is better than having a large one, and a good goal is becoming what is known as “carbon neutral.” That’s when the combination of all your activities releases the same amount of CO2 as they absorb.
 * When you are “carbon neutral,” your carbon footprint is zero.
 * Using less energy reduces our carbon footprint. An added advantage of using less energy is it can save money too!
 * Info from: []

//Rules: The carbon footprint test is like a trivia game. Use your wii remote to answer the 15 questions to the best of your knowledge. At the end of the questions, you will receive your carbon footprint number.

////Carbon Footprint Test Questions:// > *Questions adapted from []
 * 1) How do you get to school? (car, school bus, city bus, I walk or bike)
 * 2) Have you flown in a plane in the last month?
 * 3) What kind of food does your family eat? (vegan, vegetarian, everything)
 * 4) How often do you eat at a fast food restaurant? (never, once a week, twice a week, more)
 * 5) How much soda do you drink? (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 cups a day)
 * 6) Do you bring your lunch in a bag or lunch box?
 * 7) What type of home do you live in? (apartment, house)
 * 8) Do you have a lawn?
 * 9) How often do you shower? (twice/day, once/day, once every 2 days, once every 3 days, I don’t believe in showering)
 * 10) Do you leave the tap on when brushing your teeth?
 * 11) Do you have any of these things? (cell phone, TV, DVD player, computer, washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator)
 * 12) Do you recycle at home and at school?
 * 13) Do you turn off the lights when you leave the room?
 * 14) Do you turn your computer off when you are not using it?
 * 15) What do your lightbulbs look like? (florescent, incandescent)

Carbon Account
**
 * After the player selects her mii and takes the carbon footprint test, a CO2 emissions account appears in the top right hand corner of the main screen. Each time the player completes one of the three eco-activities, she returns to the main screen and sees how her score in the activity lowers her CO2 emissions. The main screen lists the three eco-activities with descriptions and shows the carbon account. Once the carbon account reaches zero, the player has won the game!

Activity 1: Eco-Wakeboarding
//Object:// Reduce your carbon footprint by recycling.

//Learning Objectives:// At the end of eco-wakeboarding, the player will be able to:
 * Describe how recycling reduces carbon emissions
 * List 3 things she can recycle
 * List at least 2 things that are not recyclable

//Game Intro://
 * Recycling products saves energy
 * Saving energy reduces carbon dioxide emissions
 * To earn points, collect recyclable products and answer trivia questions correctly
 * Watch Out! for the non-recyclable products or you will lose points
 * You can play this game as many times as you would like to lower your carbon footprint
 * //Carbon Credits//
 * Paper = 1000 lbs CO2 saved
 * Aluminum Can = 800 lbs CO2 saved
 * Glass bottle = 400 lbs CO2 saved
 * Plastic Bottle = 200 lbs CO2 saved
 * Styrofoam cup = -750 lbs CO2
 * Juice boxes = -500 lbs CO2
 * Yogurt containers = -250 lbs CO2
 * Trivia correct answer = 100 lbs CO2 saved

//Rules:// The player has 2 minutes to collect as many recyclable objects as possible. To collect/dodge objects, the player will need to shift her weight to move her Mii during the game.

//Setup// The player will need to face the balance board perpendicular to the TV and stand on the board as if standing on a wakeboard.

//Earning Points// The player earns carbon credits for each object collected. These objects are: paper, glass bottles, aluminum cans, and plastic bottles. The carbon credits for the objects are based on the objects’ environmental impact. For example, recycling paper saves trees from being cut down. Not only does this save energy and fossil fuels, it saves trees, which absorb carbon dioxide from the air. So recycled paper is worth the most. Also, recycling an aluminum can saves 95% of the energy required to make a new can, while recycle plastic containers only saves 60% of the energy required to make a new container. Therefore, aluminum cans are worth more carbon credits.

//Penalties// The player needs to dodge the non-recyclable items (Styrofoam cup, juice boxes, yogurt containers) or she will be penalized carbon credits. Styrofoam cups are very harmful to the environment, so they cost more carbon credits.

//Bonus Points// During the game, the player will have the opportunity to answer trivia questions. To answer the question, the player will need to shift her weight on the balance board to select the letter that corresponds to the answer she believes is correct. The player will be awarded 100 lbs of carbon credits for each correct answer.

//Trivia Questions (True/False)://
 * Plastic bags cannot be recycled. They can only be reused. (true)
 * Recycling products saves energy. (true)
 * Recycling a glass bottle saves more energy than recycling a plastic bottle. (true)
 * Americans throw away 22 billion plastic bottles every year. (true)
 * Products with a #1 or #2 on the bottom can be recycled anywhere. (true)
 * You can always recycle products with a #3 or #4 on them. (false)
 * Styrofoam is recyclable. (false)
 * Clothes are recyclable. (false)
 * Food is recyclable. (false)

**Activity 2: Low Carbon Diet Grocery Shopping**
//Objective:// Get the lowest carbon footprint “grocery bill” by selecting the right foods.

//Learning Objectives:// At the end of Low Carbon Diet Grocery Shopping, players will be able to:
 * Describe how the production, packaging, and transportation of food impacts carbon emissions
 * List three foods options that have low carbon emissions
 * List at least three food options high carbon emissions

//Game Introduction://
 * The production, packaging, and transportation of food all consumes energy and results in carbon emissions.
 * Purchasing the right foods responsible sources reduces carbon emissions
 * To earn points, players will select ingredients from a shopping list
 * Watch out for ingredient options that have high carbon footprints.
 * Carbon “price list” (Players will not see complete price list as displayed below. They will see the shopping list and as they select the food the want to find next they will be presented for the options for that food. Example: Ground Beef – Local/Organic - Canned/Packaged - Frozen)

   //Rules// The player has 2 minutes to get all of the ingredients of the shopping list for the meal they have chosen. To get their Mii from aisle to aisle, the player will need run/push their shopping cart and select their ingredient choice. To move the Mii/shopping cart, the player must move the controller and nun chuck in an alternating up and down motion while walking on the balance board. To select an ingredient, the player will use the up and down arrows to navigate the options and press A to select the option. //Set up // The player will need to place the balance board horizontal to the TV and connect the nun chuck to the wireless controller. //Earning Points // The player will select a meal (Cheese Burger, Chicken Burrito, or Vegetable Soup), which will display the corresponding ingredient shopping list. On the left side of the screen will be the shopping list and on the right side of the screen will be the layout of the Supermarket or the Farmer’s Market. The player will then select the food item of the shopping list they want to get then select if they want to get the local/organic, canned/packaged, or frozen option. For the first item, if they select canned/packaged or frozen, they will start in the Supermarket and if they select local/organic they will start across the street at the Farmer’s Market. Canned, packaged, and frozen ingredients have higher “prices” because they have higher carbon footprints because of the transportation and refrigeration that is required to get them to the Supermarket and keep them cold. Local and organic options have lower “prices” because there is less transportation required to get them to the market and have been produced in an environmentally conscious manner. Once the player has gotten all of the items on their shopping list, they will need to race over to the cashier. The cashier will ring up each item and the “price” will be displayed on the register based on whether they chose the local/organic, canned/packaged, or the frozen ingredient option. Before the total is tabulated, the player will be asked if they want paper, plastic, or a canvas shopping bag for their groceries. //Penalties // If the player decides to get one ingredient at the Supermarket and another at the Farmers Market, they will have to run across the street to the other market, which will cause the player to lose valuable time. When they player is asked if they want paper, plastic or a canvas shopping bag for their groceries, they will have $10 added to their bill if they select plastic, $5 added if they select paper, and $5 taken off of their bill if they select reusable canvas shopping bags.
 * Cheese Burger **
 * Chicken Burrito **
 * Vegetable Soup **

**Activity 3: Urban Tree Planting** [[image:WiiTreePlant.png width="214" height="216" align="right"]]
//Object:// Plant as many trees as you can in the time given to lower your carbon emissions.

//Learning Objective:// At the end of Urban Tree Planting, the player will be able to:
 * Calculate the number of trees needed to plant in order to reduce their carbon emissions.
 * Tell others how planting trees will help to lower CO2 in the atmosphere.

//Game Introduction:// The player will get a tutorial to show how to correctly complete a squat while on the balance board in order to fully plant the tree in the ground correctly.

//Rules:// The player will have two minutes to pick up and plant as many trees as they can.

//Setup// In order to play the game each player will need a balance board and a Wii remote control. Place the balance board so that its long side is facing the TV(parallel to the TV screen).

//Game Play//
 * Play will start with the Mii in front of a large amount of tree that are ready to be planted.
 * In order to pick up a tree you need to be standing on the balance board with a Wii remote in hand. Complete a squat and then hold down the trigger button on the Wii remote so the Mii will take hold of the tree. Keep holding the trigger button until you want to drop the tree into a hole.
 * So once the Mii has a hold of the tree, come up out of the squat and jog in place (still holding the trigger button on the remote) and direct your Mii using the arrows on the remote control to a hole to plant the tree.
 * Once you have reached a hole, go down into a squat again. The gardeners (who are there to assist you in digging and filling up the holes) will dig until you drop the tree (release the trigger button).
 * The goal is to plant each tree deep enough so that it can take root and live a long life. In order to do this, the player must complete a squat accurately and hold it until the gardeners are done filling in the hole with the tree with dirt. Hope that you get a good gardener!
 * Once the tree is planted, the player must job (on the balance board) back to the trees to pick up a new one to plant.
 * Continue play like this until the time is up.

//Earning Points// You earn points based upon the amount of trees planted and how well they were planted. The game will calculate how much CO2 was absorbed by each tree for the year after you planted them and give you your grand total.

//Penalties// A player will be penalized if they drop a tree while carrying it to the hole or killing it by not planting it correctly. Each tree lost will add an additional 20 pounds of CO2 to your Mii's carbon emissions since that is about how much a tree will save in one year.

Overall Bonus Points
Each time a player improves the amount of CO2 he saves during an eco-activity, he is awarded an additional 100 pounds of CO2 emission reductions. For example, if the player plants 20 trees during the urban tree planting activity during his first game and then plants 21+ trees the next time, 100 pounds of CO2 credits are deposited in his account.

Motivational Issues
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs states that people are motivated to satisfy their basic needs before they ascend to fulfill their highest level need of self-actualization (Schell, 2008). Our game operates at the physiological, self-esteem, and self-actualization tiers of Maslow’s pyramid of needs. Wii Fit Nature is based on the premise of reducing one’s carbon footprint to ensure that there are enough natural resources for future generations. From a physiological standpoint, the concepts of planting trees, recycling, and consuming a environmentally friendly diet all impact the players basic needs of food, water, shelter, etc as what is learned in the game can be directly applied to their personal home lives. As players complete the three mini-games and improve their scores, they attain a sense of accomplishment and mastery addressing their need for self-esteem. From a self-actualization perspective, players gain a sense of fulfillment, as they know they are empowered to implement substantial changes in their lives through activities such as recycling that adds to their personal contribution toward preserving the Earth’s resources.

Challenge, both physical and mental, is present in this game throughout all three activities. For example, in the eco-wakeboarding challenge, players rock their bodies back and forth on the Wii balance board to collect recyclables in the water, but also be quick enough to avoid picking up materials that may lower their final score. In addition to being aware of what materials are recyclable and which are not, players must also answer quiz questions. In the Low Carbon Diet Grocery Shopping activity, players must race through the market to select the most eco-friendly foods for their meal. Then in Urban Tree Planting, players must use their physical strength and stamina to simulate planting trees to lower their carbon emissions and generate more oxygen.

Competition is prevalent in the Wii Fit Nature game, as players are continuously to master the activities to get the lowest carbon footprint score as possible. In addition, in the grocery shopping game, they not only want to get the lowest “grocery bill” but also the fastest time possible. This motivates the players to engage with the game multiple times as they learn more ways of reducing their carbon footprint.

Design Process
When we first met, Torrey offered the idea of doing an environment-based game for the Wii Fit. She suggested having activities such as tree planting, Indy 500 (with a bus, bike, or car), recycling wakeboarding, eco-friendly grocery shopping, and a race to change CFLs in a neighborhood. These activities would help the player lower his carbon footprint to zero (be "carbon neutral.") We all decided that would be a good idea to start with and presented our idea to Karl. Karl suggested that we limit the scope of our game and the activities or it would be too hard to put together the design document.

We met again and decided that we should select three eco-activities to focus on. We chose wakeboarding, tree planting, and grocery shopping. This would give the player ideas of how to lower his carbon footprint through sports, personal actions (tree planting), and weekly chores (grocery shopping). We waited for feedback from Karl and Bernie for the first half of our design document, but never received it. During class, we were afforded the opportunity to comment on other students' design documents in return for them commenting on ours. However, we did not have enough time to receive ample feedback and what was received was very generic and not useful.

To research other games, Torrey came across a website that highlighted the Best Wii games for kids ([]). This helped us learn more about the types of activities kids would be interested in and how the other games were designed (whether they used the balance board, nunchuck, or remote). We also had to research carbon dioxide emissions for the activities we selected to make sure that our video game closely resembled reality. For example, eating vegetarian foods lowers a person's carbon footprint significantly compared to planting trees or recycling so we wanted to make that activity more challenging and worth more points. Fortunately, there are a lot of websites available that explain carbon footprint in "kid's terms" so this helped us make sure our game would appeal to the video game's age group.

The hardest part of the process was waiting for feedback, since we never received any and had to solicit feedback from friends/colleagues outside of class. We all worked really well together and split up the work evenly so we were able to accomplish a lot in the limited time frame.